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The Pout-Pout Fish is a new animated fantasy comedy film, written by Elise Allen and Elie Choufany, based on the children's book by Deborah Diesen. It is an international co-production between Australia and United States and features the voices of Nick Offerman, Nina Oyama, Miranda Otto, Jordin Sparks, and Amy Sedaris.
The film follows an unlikely duo: Mr. Fish, a pouty introvert, and Pip, an energetic sea dragon. When catastrophe strikes, they set out on a daunting quest for a mythical fish that can grant their wish to save their homes.
It is also a film, developed by MIMO Studios, that got its start in Franklin, where company COO, Madeira Ginley grew up. It is also where her mother, a long-time educator at the Dean College Children's Center, fell in love with a children's book, The Pout-Pout Fish. When Madeira went looking for a book to bring to the big screen, sure enough, mom had a suggestion. Madeira tracked down the book ad the author and eventually optioned the book. "Six years later we are thrilled to see it come to the big screen and my mom even has a 'book scout' title in the end credits," added Madeira.
The film to see
For Mr. Pouty and Pip, their journey into the great unknown is filled with roadblocks, dangers, wonders, quirky characters, and heart-pounding excitement. It all builds to a race against the clock, as these subaquatic misfits overcome fears and draw on friendship and wisdom to save what matters most.
The Pout-Pout Fish was released theatrically on January 1, 2026 in Australia and will be released on March 20 in the United States, by Viva Pictures. In the meantime, it will be screening at The Providence Children's Film Festival beginning this weekend. Tickets are 'pay what you can or nothing at all' which is great for families over school vacation week.
There are three
viewing opportunities associated with the film:
- February
15, 2026 12:15 pm
Hope
High School Auditorium (324 Hope St. Providence) - February
17, 2026 4:00 pm
Hope
High School Auditorium (324 Hope St. Providence) - February
20, 2026 6:00 pm
Mount
Pleasant Library ( 315 Academy Ave in Providence, RI)
You can learn more and reserve tickets here.
Madeira, who moved
to Wrentham a year ago, said she attended Davis Thayer and Horace Mann
public schools, was active in the Franklin School for the
Performing Arts and then graduated from Mt. St. Charles Academy in
2005. She went on to attend Emerson College and started MIMO Studios in 2019
after working at Nickelodeon for more than a decade.
Madeira said MIMO
has also worked on an educational package for libraries that they
hope will be adopted locally.
